Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1887-06-05
THE "OLD MAN"
OUT AGAINST COMMERCIAL UNION.
Premier Macdonald Says 1t is Out of the
Question.
NO FREE TRADE WITH UNCLE sam.
The Weak Points in the Proposed Scheme
Shown Up.

called, ''The Old Man" stands in the same
relation to the Dominion as Bismarck does
to Germany and Disrael did to England.
Between him and Disrael there are many
points of similarity. Naturally aggressive
~ politician he can be ~ conciliating TO
Il degree that charms the enemy.
Unlike his colleagues in the Government
the Premier maniiests 10 trepidation in
approaching a dangerous topic, nor because
it is dangerous does he attempt to belittle
its Importance. Last night he began quite
lengthy conversation on the question of
commercial union between the United
that he was in favor of reciprocity between
the two countries.
81 am in favor" he said "of such a re-
ciprocity treaty rs existed between the
years of 1856 and 1866. ! think there
should be reciprocal trade relations be-
tween Canada and the United States so far
as are concerned the natural products of
both countries. These, | suppose, might
be enumerated az coal, wood, ores of vari-
Ous kinds and petroleum, and the list
might be extended as experience taught MS
would be beneficial to both countries.
COMMERCIAL UNION IMPOSSIBLE.
Commercial union between the two
countries in the shape it has assumed is
| IL
not more likely TO he adopted by the Uni
ted States than by Canada. The manu-
facturers of the United States were not in
favor of the treaty negotiated by Mr.. Brown,
and their influence may have killed il, but
in its present guise it could never be con
summated. If the products of the two
countries could alone pass the barriers it
might be managed, but such commercial
union would entail all sorts of deception.
| In spite of the understanding that English
goods We're debarred from the priv
ileges enjoyed by Canadian products
and manufactures, commercial union
would make the United States an inn
mense entrepOt for English manufacturers.
English tweeds, wanting only the finish,
would find their way to Canada, where
they would be finished and then shipped
| to the United States rs OF Canadian manu-
iactuIe. Then an immense quantity Of
English goods would be stamped rs Cana
dian, and the markets of the United States
would be flooded with these spurious ar
ticles. Only under one condition could
there be commercial union between the
| two cOuntries-an assimilation of tariffs.
| Such condition il hardly among the pos
sibilities. The United States will not
lower her tariff To our standard and we
cannot and will not raise our standard to
hers.
THE TARIFF OF CANADA
cannot he so adjusted rs to admit of free
trade between her and the United States
while England is shut out from our mar
ket That is what commercial union with
the United States would lAean, and that
will never occur while Canada is n part of
England. We are at liberty 10 make our
own tariff, We are at liberty To become Il
part of the United States. II we were
unanimously in favor of annexation | do
not think England would attempt to re-
strain us, but we would not he unanimous;
there would he two parties one loyal to
England and one in favor of annexation.
The usual result would follow. IL the
country were of one mind there would be
no interference, but if there were lOyallsts
who objected to annexation England would
do as she always has dOne-comc to their
rescue and undertake their quarrel If the
United States saw fit to discriminate, like
Canada, in favor of England, then COM
mercial union would be possible, but that
will not he.
~ do not think either that Congress will
adopt the measure introduced by Mr.. But
terworth; that it will be seriously cOnsid-
cred, or cut any considerable figure. Next
year the two great political parties of the
United States will nominate their candi
dates for the Presidency. | am certain
that the platform OF neither party will
contain a commercial union plank. Nel-
thcr party will appeal to the voters on that
issue. There may be people in the United
States who favor commercial union, Just
as there are people in Canada who favor
annexation, but they are widely scattered,
and upon such platform could not reach
Office. There may be anncXatiOnists IN
the House of Commons, but
THEY COULD NEVER BE ELECTED
To Parliament rs such; they have never at
tempted it, and annexation will not come
to pass in my time, no, not i'll fifty years.
Many changes may occur in such period.
II is impossible to lortell the condition of
the United States fifty years hence, but
the signs of the times are such rs do not
nourish the desire in Canada for annexa-
tiOn.
There is feeling here that conflict is
impending in the United States between
the elements of order and disorder, the
haves and the have nots. The foreign ele-
ment Of ignorance and disorder is obtain
ing great strength there, and yearly be-
coming more aggressive. Canada is not
troubled in this way; her institutions or
existence is not menaced; her life is peace
full and condition prosperous.
''To reciprocity such ~ | have stated
Canada would not object, would gladly
agree upon, and fuller intercourse might
become agreeable when the conditions OF
the two countries had become more equal
lied, but at present commercial union is
not possibility. And | think it is better
for all concerned that there should bc two
nations on this continent with different
systems, aud to IN extent different inter
ests. and friendly to the other, and with
such ground for an occasional squabble he
tween lis rs the fisheries offer